Unknown to many, Traditional Oriental Medicine is a major healthcare system for over one quarter of the world's population. Cited as an effective system of healthcare by the National Institute of Health and the World Health Organization, acupuncture and Oriental Medicine are becoming a serious alternative or complement to conventional pain management and medical treatment.

Acupuncture is one of the oldest, most commonly used medical procedures in the world, originating in China more than 3,000 years ago.

Oriental medicine is an effective, low cost medical treatment that works in harmony with the body's natural healing ability. Diagnosis in Oriental medicine involves the classical procedures of observation, listening, questioning and palpation, including feeling pulse quality. Treatment focuses on the well-being of the entire person, not simply on the physical complaints and symptoms.

According to the theories of traditional Oriental medicine, all the disorders or diseases from which people suffer can be related to an imbalance in one's Qi, or vital energy. Oriental medicine's aim is to improve the patient's health both physically and spiritually by rebalancing the body's own healing mechanisms.

Over 2000 acupuncture points on the human body connect with 14 pathways, called meridians. Chinese medicine practitioners believe these meridians conduct energy, or Qi, between the surface of the body and internal organs. Qi regulates spiritual, emotional, mental, and physical balance. When Qi flow is disrupted, through poor health habits or other circumstances, pain and/or disease can result. Acupuncture acts to keep the normal flow of this energy unblocked.

Acupuncture is the insertion of hair-thin, disposable metal needles through the skin in points on the body's meridians. Acupuncture needles are solid, usually made of stainless steel and extremely flexible. Inserted a few millimeters into the skin, the small diameter and contoured shape of the acupuncture needle allows it to be inserted easily and painlessly. Acupuncture needles can also be stimulated with pressure, heat, friction or electromagnetic impulses to further activate a person's Qi.